Bioluminescence in the Gippsland Lakes (again)

[Phil Hart]

It's now four years since my first photos of bioluminescence and we've finally had a summer down at the Gippsland Lakes where it has reappeared.

Generally it has been fairly mild and so I wasn't expecting the photos to look so strong, but it's amazing what you can do with an f1.4 lens when you're desperate ;). We did find some really bright patches one night paddling some canoes away from the mainsite front beach - then we could actually see the blue colour with the naked eye but I didn't have the camera with me :mad2:! Generally though the appearance was not as strong as these stacked images would suggest:

http://philhart.com/content/bioluminescence-gippsland-lakes-again

Phil

[RickS]

That's a lovely contrast to the sky, Phil!

[h0ughy]

its still a great looking shot - well done

[colinmlegg]

Stunning shots!

[gregbradley]

Great shots. I like the last one the best. The delicate hues in the nightsky plus the luminescence captured more subtley.

Greg.

[CapturingTheNight]

Awesome Phil. :thumbsup: Might just have to go chasing some blue stuff for myself next summer.

[Paul Haese]

Just like on facebook I was reaching for the like button. Apparently we don't have the conditions here to capture this but it sure look pretty nice.

[alan meehan]

stunning shots phil,well done
AL

[iceman]

Very nice indeed! Unique!

[DavidU]

Nice one Phil. I used to love the luminescence behind the boat at night, sometimes very bright.

[alexch]

Very nice. Well done catching it again!

Cheers,
Alex

[Phil Hart]

Thanks Rick, Houghy, Colin, Greg, Paul, Greg, Alan, Mike, David and Alex!

There might be some images in The Age tomorrow, and I think there was some discussion on ABC Radio today with Perran Cook, a Monash Uni researcher, although I didn't hear it.

I haven't been down the far end of the Lakes, but it sounds like there may be some good bioluminescence in Boxes Creek/Chinamans Creek, but that is near the lights of Metung and Lakes Entrance which would significantly pollute the sky. These little inlets also may not have any waves in the evening as they are very sheltered from the wind and the open lakes so the only bioluminescence you see is from water you disturb yourself (or from swimming fish etc). It's not easy getting the right circumstances together!

Phil

[Phil Hart]

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/plankton-put-on-a-show-at-lake-victoria-20130128-2dgyu.html

[azagil]

Great shots Phil, I seen the post on FB and the Age. Spectacular shots and have captured alot of interested. Congratulations and well Done!!!:thumbsup:

[carl37]

Congratulations on the feature in The Age Phil!!! I saw it there before I saw this thread in IIS.

[Hans Tucker]

Well Phil you also got a brief mention on the Seven News (Melbourne) Weather Report :thumbsup:

[carl37]

Saw it on Seven News too!!

[Poita]

So very very jealous, I'm yet to see this phenomenon. Thanks so much for sharing it.

[Phil Hart]

Thanks azagil and hans!





well i didn't know that was coming.. would have been nice of them to contact me! if anybody has a recording of that please let me know.



Well there is still some in the Lakes at the moment but it's hard to predict exactly when and where to go to see it. It'll be back I'm sure.

Phil

[carl37]

I have it recorded, Phil. Just need to work out how to get it off the DVR!!

[dvj]

Awsome. That's an APOD for sure!

[Poita]

And contact 7 news for payment. I do stringer work for Channel 7 and I usually charge $500 - $1500 for any images, more for video, and I've never given them anything as nice as these :)

They really shouldn't be using your images without payment.